In This Guide
What Is Care Home Visa Sponsorship?
Care home visa sponsorship is when a UK care home (nursing home, residential home, or assisted living facility) sponsors an international worker to come to the UK on a Health and Care Worker visa. The care home holds a Sponsor Licence issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), which allows them to recruit workers from outside the UK.
The UK care home sector employs over 1.6 million people, and despite domestic recruitment efforts, there remain approximately 150,000 vacancies at any given time. This creates strong demand for international care workers, making care home sponsorship one of the most active visa sponsorship routes in the UK.
Care homes range from small, family-run homes with 10–20 beds to large corporate chains running hundreds of homes across the UK. Both types can sponsor visas, though larger chains often have more streamlined processes and dedicated HR teams experienced in sponsorship.
How to Find Care Home Sponsors
Finding a care home that sponsors visas requires searching the right places. Here are the most effective methods:
CareVisa Sponsor Database
Our free sponsor search includes over 12,500 verified UK care sponsors. Filter by location, company size, CQC rating, and role type. Each listing shows whether the sponsor has active vacancies and their recent sponsorship history.
UK Government Register
The official register of licensed sponsors is a spreadsheet published by the Home Office. Search for care homes in your preferred area. Look for sponsors listed under the "Health and Care Worker" route.
Job Boards
Search Indeed, Reed, Totaljobs, and NHS Jobs for "care worker visa sponsorship" or "care home sponsorship". Many listings explicitly state whether visa sponsorship is available. LinkedIn also has an increasing number of care sector roles.
Recruitment Agencies
Some agencies specialise in international care worker recruitment. Be cautious — legitimate agencies do not charge workers fees. Your employer pays the agency, not you. If an agency asks you to pay, this is a red flag.
For detailed guidance on finding sponsors, see our complete sponsor-finding guide.
Types of Care Home Roles
Care homes offer various roles, but not all qualify for visa sponsorship. Here are the main roles and their eligibility:
Care Worker / Care Assistant (SOC 6145)
The most common sponsored role. Involves personal care, mobility assistance, meal support, and companionship. Salary: £23,200–£26,000/year. Eligible for sponsorship.
Senior Care Worker (SOC 6146)
Supervisory role overseeing a team of care workers. Requires experience. Salary: £25,000–£30,000/year. Eligible for sponsorship.
Registered Nurse (SOC 2231)
Nursing roles in care homes (nursing homes). Requires NMC registration. Salary: £29,970+/year. Eligible for sponsorship.
Kitchen / Housekeeping / Maintenance
Non-care roles within care homes. Not eligible for Health and Care Worker visa sponsorship.
Salary & Working Conditions
Understanding typical care home salaries and working conditions helps you evaluate job offers:
| Role | Hourly | Annual (FT) |
|---|---|---|
| Care Worker (standard) | £11.50–£12.50 | £23,200–£25,000 |
| Care Worker (London) | £12.50–£14.00 | £25,000–£28,000 |
| Senior Care Worker | £13.00–£16.00 | £26,000–£32,000 |
| Night Care Worker | £12.00–£14.00 | £24,000–£28,000 |
| Nurse (care home) | £15.00–£22.00 | £30,000–£44,000 |
Typical Working Patterns:
- Shifts: Early (7am–2pm), Late (2pm–9pm), Long day (7am–9pm), Night (9pm–7am)
- Hours: Typically 36–48 hours per week. Full-time is usually 37.5 or 39 hours
- Weekends: Most care workers work alternate weekends or a rota pattern
- Holiday: Minimum 28 days per year (including bank holidays) for full-time workers
- Overtime: Often available and sometimes at enhanced rates
For detailed salary analysis with after-tax calculations, see our 2026 salary guide.
What to Expect Working in a Care Home
Working in a UK care home as an international worker is a significant life change. Here is an honest overview of what to expect:
Daily Responsibilities
As a care worker, your day typically involves helping residents with personal care (washing, dressing, toileting), assisting with mobility, serving and helping with meals, administering medication (after training), supporting social activities, maintaining care records, and reporting any changes in residents' health or behaviour to senior staff.
Training You Will Receive
- Induction: All new care workers complete a structured induction (usually 1–2 weeks)
- Care Certificate: 15 standards covering duty of care, safeguarding, privacy, nutrition, health & safety, etc.
- Mandatory training: Moving and handling, infection control, fire safety, food hygiene, first aid
- Medication: Training on safe medication administration and record-keeping
- Specialist training: Dementia care, end of life care, mental health awareness (as needed)
The Challenges
Care work is physically demanding (lifting, bending, standing for long periods), emotionally challenging (building relationships with residents who may decline or pass away), and can be stressful (staff shortages, time pressure). Night shifts and weekend work are normal. However, many care workers find the work deeply rewarding and form strong bonds with both residents and colleagues.
The Rewards
Making a real difference to vulnerable people's lives, learning valuable healthcare skills, career progression opportunities, pathway to UK settlement, supportive team environment, and job security in a sector with strong demand.
Accommodation & Relocation
Relocating to the UK is a major step. Here is what you need to know about accommodation:
Employer-Provided Accommodation
Some care homes, especially in rural areas, offer staff accommodation. This may be on-site or nearby. Costs are typically £200–£400/month deducted from salary. The accommodation offset rate limits how much employers can deduct. Always check what is included (bills, Wi-Fi, furnishing).
Renting Privately
Many care workers rent privately. Shared houses are common and affordable (£400–£700/month including bills outside London). Use SpareRoom, Rightmove, or OpenRent to search. You typically need a deposit (4–5 weeks' rent), references, and proof of income or employment contract.
Airport Pickup & Initial Support
Many sponsoring care homes offer airport pickup and initial accommodation support for the first few weeks while you settle in. Ask about this during your interview. Good employers understand the challenges of international relocation and provide practical support.
How to Apply
The application process for care home sponsorship follows these steps:
1. Search and Apply for Jobs
Use CareVisa, job boards, and the sponsor register to find care homes. Apply directly or through the care home's website. Include your CV, cover letter, and mention that you require visa sponsorship upfront.
2. Interview (Usually Online)
Most care homes conduct video interviews for international candidates. Be prepared to discuss your care experience, motivation, English ability, and willingness to work shifts. Some may include scenario-based questions.
3. Receive Job Offer and CoS
If successful, you receive a formal job offer and your employer applies for a Certificate of Sponsorship. Review the offer carefully — check salary, hours, location, and start date match the visa requirements.
4. Apply for Your Visa
Follow the standard visa application process. Gather documents, complete the online form, pay fees, and attend biometrics.
5. Travel and Start Work
Once approved, travel to the UK within your vignette validity period. Your employer handles right-to-work checks, induction, and training. You start earning from your first day.
Top Care Home Sponsors in the UK
These are some of the largest and most active care home sponsors in the UK. Many have dedicated international recruitment teams:
HC-One
320+ care homes across UK. One of the largest sponsors.
Barchester Healthcare
200+ care homes. Active international recruitment.
Care UK
120+ homes. Established sponsorship programme.
Anchor Hanover
England's largest not-for-profit care provider.
Hallmark Care Homes
Award-winning provider with active sponsorship.
Maria Mallaband Care Group
80+ homes. Competitive salaries.
Search our full sponsor database to find care homes in your preferred location. See also our sponsor list guide and care home jobs guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find care homes that sponsor visas?
Use CareVisa (12,500+ sponsors), the Government's sponsor register, job boards (Indeed, Reed), and recruitment agencies. Large chains like HC-One and Barchester are among the most active sponsors.
What salary can I expect?
Standard care workers earn £23,200–£26,000/year. London pays more (£25,000–£28,000). Seniors earn £26,000–£32,000. Nurses earn £30,000–£44,000.
Do care homes provide accommodation?
Some do, typically £200–£400/month. More common in rural areas. Always ask during the interview process.
What types of roles qualify?
Care worker, senior care worker, and nursing roles qualify. Kitchen, housekeeping, and maintenance roles do not qualify for the Health and Care Worker visa.
What is it like working in a UK care home?
You assist residents with daily living, personal care, meals, and activities. Shifts include early, late, and night patterns. The work is demanding but rewarding. Training is provided.